Rockets Beat Mavericks in NBA China Game in Macao

The Houston Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 135-117 on Friday at the Venetian Arena in Macao, China, in the first NBA China Game of the preseason, giving both teams an early evaluation of their rosters before the regular season.

According to sports.yahoo.com, Alperen Şengün led Houston with a triple-double of 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while Tari Eason paced the reserves with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

The Rockets opened with their projected starting lineup of Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün and Kevin Durant, according to sports.yahoo.com. VanVleet scored 17 points in his first game action since the 2025 NBA playoffs after missing the previous season because of a torn ACL.

Dallas was led by second-year player Cooper Flagg, who finished with 19 points, six rebounds and three assists while shooting 7-of-14 from the field, according to sports.yahoo.com. Flagg attempted five three-point shots and made one.

The Mavericks played without projected starters Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II, who were rested, according to sports.yahoo.com. Naji Marshall added 14 points, while Zaccharie Risacher recorded nine points and eight rebounds in his first game with Dallas after joining the team in an offseason three-team deal.

The Dallas Morning News reported that the sellout crowd of 14,000 at the Venetian Arena included actor Jackie Chan, former Houston Rockets player Yao Ming and soccer figure David Beckham. The publication also noted that Mavericks majority shareholder Miriam Adelson and team governor Patrick Dumont attended the event as hosts.

The Rockets and Mavericks are scheduled to meet again at the Venetian Arena on Sunday morning. Houston will then face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 15 before opening the regular season against Dallas on Oct. 21, while the Mavericks will continue their preseason schedule against the New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks.